2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman has a complaint index of 67, ranks 3rd worst out of 7 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine problems, including fires, account for 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 78,412 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Cooper S Clubman years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (55%)
- Airbags3 (27%)
- Electrical System1 (9%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported while parked, with smoke and flames coming from under the hood shortly after shutting off the car.
- Timing chain tensioner failures causing loud rattling or engine noise, sometimes leading to sudden loss of power while driving.
- Passenger airbag warning light turning on due to a sensor issue, with some owners saying their VIN was excluded from a related recall.
- Electrical fire reported after the vehicle was parked and turned off, with the fire department unable to determine the cause.
- Transmission warning light activating around 53,225 miles, with the car getting stuck in park until restarted.
2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
- NHTSA 12V008000Jan 11, 2012Engine90,368 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 mini cooper s, 2008-2011 mini cooper s clubman, 2009-2011 mini cooper s convertible, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw, 2009-2011 mini cooper jcw clubman, 2009-2011 cooper jcw convertible, and 2011 cooper s countryman passenger cars manufactured from november 14, 2006, through january 18, 2011. The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat.
Risk: The circuit board may smolder which could result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump free of charge. The safety recall beganduring february 2012. Owners may contact bmw at 1-866-275-6464.
2008 compared with other Cooper S Clubman years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 67 for the 2008 model year, ranking 3rd worst among 7 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict. Engine issues, including fires, make up 55% of reported complaints.
- What problems does the 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman have?
- Owners most often reported engine problems, including timing chain tensioner failures and fires, followed by airbag warning light issues and one electrical fire. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 78,412 miles.
- Does the 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Cooper S Clubman, both related to the engine, including a water pump replacement campaign covering 2008-2011 Cooper S Clubman models.
- How does the 2008 Cooper S Clubman compare to other model years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 67 is lower than the 2009 model's 100 (Avoid) and the 2011 model's 83 (Avoid), but higher than the 2010 model's 50 (Caution).